In this space at Thanksgiving, people were
urged to be thankful, for all the goodness and health and gifts in
their lives.

That was not enough for several readers, who
criticized that God was not the focus of written thanks. The
newspaper's "apparent desire for political correctness" was
"pathetic," chided one reader.

Desire for political correctness? Not really.
Any perceived slight of God at Thanksgiving, (widely regarded as a
secular holiday, not tied to any one religion) was closer to an
omission. Editorials on this page are often the last thing done in
the work of an edition, and they can be hastily prepared, in a few
minutes, heeding a deadline and a word limit. Not enough time for
reflection, too often. Sorry. That's how it is.

Yet political correctness, and whatever its
meaning, has become one more polarizing argument in this country.
The extremes — either someone is so politically correct as to say
or write nothing offensive to anyone, or so politically incorrect
in the apparent dichotomy as to say and write something
intentionally offensive to just about everyone. There is no middle
ground, no speech or thought or text that is candid and honest, yet
respectful and considerate.

So now it is Christmas, the celebration of the
birth of Jesus Christ, the Lord, the Savior, whose birth and life
and death and resurrection remains the greatest, most profound
event in the history of mankind. We write this, with meaning —
Merry Christmas. Celebrate the miracle.

For many, millions in fact, Christ's birth is
a part of the Christmas season, but not its entirety. Respect is
due to the millions who religiously celebrate the Savior's birth.
Yet, for millions, Christmas represents something else.

It is the time of year when human beings are
at their very best, sharing their love and wealth and gifts with
family and friends and people they've never met. Foodstuffs flow to
pantries for the needy. Firefighters' bins swell with toys for poor
children. We put money into the kettles of the Salvation Army, and
write checks to charities perhaps forgotten the rest of the year.
We share kindnesses with co-workers, cards with faraway cousins and
acquaintances, cookies, pictures of the kids another year
older.

Christmas is a time to remember. Some of those
memories are cherished. Others are painful. Christmas is very
difficult for so many people, who recall the losses, the hurt of
years past, who feel guilt about too few presents under the tree,
or anxiety about family and strained relationships, or the pressure
of too much money spent. It's not all figgy pudding and jingle
bells.

Yet it remains a season of wonder, and of
light, in the form of Christmas lights and decorations at the time
of the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere's darkest days.
Economies may come and go, but lights go up every Christmas.
Millions of them. There are homes in our communities so beautifully
lighted they appear afire. (Looks like a good year in the
inflatable Christmas ornament industry, too.) All of it
communicates joy and happiness, and it is heart-warming.

Some governments, sensitive to the
aforementioned "political correctness," put up few lights. Others
have brilliant displays; if you're up in northwest Marana, for
example, drive by the Marana municipal complex and look at the
lights and tree. It's very beautiful.

Gov. Jan Brewer, running for office in 2010,
has issued a statement on her campaign website about an executive
order "encouraging the celebration of Christmas and Hanukkah, and
prohibiting any censorship of these religious holidays" within
state government.

"Under my administration, I will call things
what they are … a Christmas tree and a Menorah, and will gladly
allow both Christmas and Hanukkah to be celebrated at the State
Capitol," Brewer writes. "I encourage my colleagues and fellow
elected officials to do the same."

And that's just fine. No need now for an
interpretation of constitutional church/state language. For it's
Christmas, a time to celebrate birth and life and light and hope
and love. Merry Christmas.

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Tucson Local Media photographer J.D. Fitzgerald, right, shoots a simulation gun in reaction to a situation during a training put on by the Pima County Sheriff’sDepartment. PCSD invited members of the media to their training center on South Rita Road to further their understanding of use of force protocols. Mediamembers were given a 90-minute lesson on the policies, ethics and laws regarding use of force. To read the full story and to watch the video, visit www.tucsonlocalmedia.com.